Cemetery Operative Bereavement Services
Scale 5 (£28,598 - £31,022)
37 hours, Full-Time (8am until 4 pm, on-call work required)
Permanent
Based across various borough locations, serving the bereavement services across Stockport.
Application Deadline: 31st July 2026
Please be aware that we may close this vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Shortlisting Date: 3rd August 2026
Interview Date: 7th August 2026
Interview Type: Face-to-face
Join us at Stockport Council Best for Inclusion winner at the Greater Manchester Good Employment Awards 2026
Your Role
To carry out across all Stockport cemetery sites as necessary: grave digging, grounds maintenance and associated cemetery maintenance and operational activities in accordance with Stockport Cemeteries Terms of Use, the Cemetery Local Authorities Cemeteries Order, Church of England Faculties relating to consecrated areas and closed churchyards and the Guiding Principles of the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management, including any future amendments. Participation in the weekend and bank holiday burial call out service, on a rota basis, for which a standby payment and overtime if called out will be paid.
About You
We’re looking for a committed and respectful individual to join our Cemetery Services team. You’ll be a reliable team player with excellent interpersonal skills, able to work effectively with colleagues whilst also using your own initiative when working independently. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong attention to detail, be approachable, courteous and flexible, and have the ability to listen and respond sensitively to the needs of bereaved families and members of the public.
Experience of gardening and grounds maintenance, working with the public, and using computer systems is essential, while experience of cemetery operations, grave digging, mechanical maintenance or excavation work, and administrative record keeping would be advantageous.
You’ll have a good standard of literacy and numeracy, an appreciation of the diverse needs of the community, and a willingness to undertake training and continuous professional development. Knowledge of cemetery operational duties and headstone inspection practices is desirable, as is holding a Cemetery Operative Certificate of Competence. Above all, you’ll be adaptable, eager to learn and willing to work occasional evenings and weekends on a rota basis to support the delivery of a high-quality cemetery service.
About Us
Roles within our bereavement provision are extremely rewarding and varied. We serve over 3000 families a year, and we strive to provide the best standard possible across our cremation, burial and memorial provisions.
At Stockport Council we are one ambitious team on a mission to create opportunities for everyone who lives, works and spends time in the borough. Working at Stockport Council means contributing to one of the most thriving towns in the North. We’re keen to recruit people with the right values and behaviours that can help us ensure our workplace values are at the heart of everything we do.
We are proud to be recognised under the Good Employment Charter as an organisation committed to the wellbeing of our colleagues. As members of the charter, we have been recognised as a great place to work for all colleagues and pledge to pay the real living wage, engage staff in key decisions and endorse fair and flexible working conditions.
If you would like to find out more about the role, please contact Michael Nowell at [email protected] for an informal discussion about the role
The successful applicant’s appointment will be subject to satisfactory pre-employment clearances, including a Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Stockport Council holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not currently qualify.
Please note that we have made a commitment to improve the employment opportunities for people with disabilities, care leavers and ex-military personnel. As part of the Guaranteed Assessment Scheme you will therefore be guaranteed to be shortlisted for Assessment if you meet both the criteria for the scheme and the essential job role criteria.
Find out if you meet the criteria here: https://www.greater.jobs/our-guaranteed-assessment-scheme
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